A Chicago elementary school teacher on Monday was the sole Illinois recipient of a prestigious group of awards handed out each year to exemplary educators. Dexter Chaney had no idea that the surprise assembly held at Ryerson Elementary was in his honor. He became visibly emotional when he was announced as the recipient of the Milken Educator Award during the event at the East Garfield Park school. Just to be recognized nationally, that doesn t happen every day; for some teachers, it doesn t happen in a lifetime, so I m really humbled, said Chaney. The award carries a $25,000 prize.